Does being in debt make you frumpy?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Does being in debt make you frumpy?
19
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 9:22am
I will admit that I have never spent much money on myself. I got pregnant at 19 and ever since then, the focus has really been on me clothing my kids, but it's starting to really bother me. I look at myself in the mirror and I'm fat first of all! I also have a very limited wardrobe. I have 2 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of black pants that I rotate over and over and over. I have 1 pair of sneakers and some brown boots, which never work with my black pants but I make them work anyway. I have a limited amount of shirts and most of them are summer shirt so I look like an idiot unless I just keep my jacket on. I'm frumpy! I look awful. I haven't had my hair cut in a year and it's just long and hangs there, my ends are a mess. I have no money for anything personal. I don't know how to make myself look good with my sad wardrobe. And I feel that this just feeds the cycle of fatness because why even bother trying when I look horrible anyway...of course, if I lost weight, I'd have a lot more clothes in my closet that fit me!

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2008
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 9:42am
Abigail, I've been there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 10:01am

Hugs. I am not skinny minnie but one thing I have learned after gaining some weight from my 2nd child (who just turned two) is that I WILL take a little out of the budget to make myself feel ok. I have bought a few pairs of pants or shirts in a larger size. Something flattering. Even if you try to find stuff at a resale shop. Its worth it if it makes you feel better about you.


Trust me, I find some great stuff for cheap at Walmart. Form fitting stuff that makes me look and feel better about myself - even at a size 18. I am proud of who I am and what I have. I need something sometimes to perk me up.


Also, sometimes I find on my off days when I'm wearing sweats that I feel fatter and yucky. I make myself shower and put on jeans - something that makes me feel more styling and sexy. It's the small stuff that helps. Even if its putting on some makeup.


How about asking a friend or family member to give you a trim? Maybe that will help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2007
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 10:06am

Hi there.

<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/debt/wsT5Uqy/"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wsT5Uqy/debt.png"></a>

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 10:34am

Yes.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 11:05am

My advice is to give yourself permission to spend about $20 and hit the Salvie.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 11:41am

It really is hard to actually give yourself permission to spend money on yourself. I shouldn't feel bad because my kids have way more than enough clothes and shoes. I have nothing! My husband doesn't have too much either.

I hate shopping and it's most likely because I am a larger size, the same size as you and I can never find anything that looks good. I looked at the salvation army once and I though they were kind of expensive. I couldn't find many good items either, but I could look again. Plus, I had my kids with me at the time and it was hard to concentrate! I know they usually have good sales. I'll check it out once my tax refund comes in next week and see if I can make myself feel better.

I have a friend who cuts hair and she once cut mine at her house for 20 dollars. I guess I could ask her again. It really is time to break out of this depression, I'm just not sure how to break out and stay out! It keeps coming back!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 12:47pm

Definatly check back at the Salvie.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 1:47pm

I am not a good Salvation Army shopper either.




iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 2:57pm
You said you have a friend that does hair, do you have something that you do that you can swap for haircuts? My SIL is a hairdresser and she does my hair all the time and I look after her little ones when she needs me too. I only have to pay for product when she colours my hair otherwise I don't pay anything other than my time to look after my nieces which I would do for free anyway. But maybe you have a skill to do something for her that you could barter.

Also is there other thrift stores near you that you could find good deals on clothing. I have a few favourite thrift stores that I check on a regular basis, and if you get to know the staff maybe they would be able to let you know when sales are coming up. As for your brown boots is it possible to use shoe dye on them to make them black so that you would match better?

Do you have a freecycle group near you? I have noticed a far bit of clothing being offered in my area. If you don't belong already just go to yahoo groups and search freecycle or recycle and your city name. You can also check at freecycle.org


Sharon




iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Wed, 03-04-2009 - 3:36pm

I am itching to get running again. However there is too much snow and ice here still. I am really not good at working out at home and am not close to a gym (20 miles). I am feeling frumpy(and winter grumpy!!) I also have nice clothes in smaller sizes *sigh* But my sister just did my hair(highlights and a cut, she is a hair dresser. And it made a world of difference. I actually want to go running! Now, if I could just stop eating everything I can get my hands on! It would help my debt situation too if I could snack less I'm sure!! Do you have a friend that you could ask for a free hair cut for another service? Babysitt her kids so she can go out one night?



Pages